THE WEB OF LIFE

 Humankind has not woven the web of life.

We are but one thread within it.

Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.

All things are bound together.  All things connect.

Chief Seattle, 1854 

JOIN THE BLUE HEART CAMPAIGN

The Blue Heart represents the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding us of the cold-heartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human beings. The use of the blue UN color also demonstrates the commitment of the United Nations to combating this crime against human dignity.

The United Nations has launched the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons. The Fund was established following the adoption by the General Assembly in July 2010 of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which urges Governments to take coordinated, comprehensive and consistent steps to combat such trafficking and to adopt a human rights-based approach. The fund will help Governments as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to protect and support victims of human trafficking so that they can recover from their physical and psychological scars.

http://www.unodc.org/blueheart/

UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE SOCIETIES IN BONN, GERMANY

Each year the UN Department of Information (DPI) holds a meeting of NGOs on an important issue. This year the theme is “Sustainable Societies: Responsive Citizens” and the DPI/NGO conference is being held in Bonn, Germany from September 3-5, 2011. Having the DPI/NGO Conference in a different region each year allows more people to understand how the UN works at systemic change. At the 2009 conference in Mexico, various Notre Dame congregations took advantage of being together and preceded the conference with a three-day UN Orientation to help Sisters become aware of how they could contribute to policy making on local, national and international levels.

There is no registration cost for this DPI/NGO conference. If we know early enough who is interested, we can seek housing with religious communities in Bonn. This would be a really good opportunity for teachers, social workers, and justice and peace supporters, especially those living in Europe, to meet other NGOs who are working in the area of sustainable development. They will find out how they can network and strategize to make changes to structures to preserve our earth and atmosphere for generations to come. Subthemes will include the “green economy” in the context of poverty eradication, transparent governance, and grassroots activism. Let us know if you are interested.  

For more information, please visit: http://uncsd.iisd.org/events/64th-annual-un-dpingo-conference-sustainable-societies-responsive-citizens/

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN”: IT CONCERNS US ALL

In our February issue we reported on your participation in a UN survey about the trafficking of women and girls and announced that the responses would be used as the basis of a short film to further raise awareness of the trafficking epidemic. “To Whom It May Concern” was produced by the non-profit Artfully Unforgotten under the sponsorship of Franciscans International and Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Shown at the UN on International Women’s Day, it is now available online with the hope that religious leaders will share it with their parishes and communities to raise further awareness about the trafficking of women and girls.

 View this inspiring film at:   http://vimeo.com/2109020(English only)

A LETTER FROM SENDAI, JAPAN

Read an inspiring letter about how people are taking care of each other in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami …

http://wp.me/ptQ8t-70

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN”

 On International Women’s Day, we held the workshop on human trafficking to which many religious contributed by sharing best practices as well as instances of trafficking which they are observing.  There were more than 100 NGOs in attendance, including a good number of high school and university students.  Panelists discussed anti-trafficking efforts of international and UN agencies, on the ground service to human trafficking survivors, as well as current forms of  bondage. Then followed a very lively discussion which led the group to identity actions to prevent and respond to human trafficking in areas where they live and work.

In addition to members mentioned in our prior article we would like to thank these members of the Coesfeld SNDs  for their responses to the requested information: Paula Berich, Petra Tollkotter, Lea Paolucci, and Val Roxburgh.

The film, which is composed from the material submitted,  is available at:    http://vimeo.com/21090820

IN HONOR OF MARCH 22 WORLD WATER DAY

  FLOW

 

Be

as water is

without friction.

 

Flow around the edges

of those within your path.

Surround within your ever-moving depths

those who come to rest there –

enfold them,

while never

for a moment holding on.

 

Accept whatever distance

Others are moved, within your flow.

Be with them gently,

as far as they allow your strength to take them,

and fill with your own being

the remaining space when they are left behind.

 

When dropping down life’s rapids,

froth and bubble into fragments if you must,

knowing the one of you

now many

will just as many times be one again.

 

And when you’ve gone as far as you can go,

quietly await your next beginning.

 

(Anonymous) 

 

Read more about World Water Day at  http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/

MARCH 21, WORLD FORESTRY DAY

The UISG Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission has prepared prayers for March 21, World Forestry Day. In 18 languages, these prayers are also in honor of the International Year of Forests 2011.

Go to: http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_21March

LENTEN CARBON FAST CALENDAR 2011

Great resource — a Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar from Washington DC via Australia. Sorry, English only. http://www.clrinsw.org/current/soc_just/sj_110301.pdf